Adventure 01-Sep-2009
It was 6am on a Saturday and I was awake with anticipation. Today was the day we were going whale watching in Hervey Bay and I had been looking forward to it since my last similar experience four years ago. Now that might not sound like a long time, but if you have an affinity with these magnificent creatures, you’ll know what I mean!
From late July to November every year, humpback whales arrive in the seaside town of Hervey Bay to relax in the calm, protected waters. The journey they have taken BEFORE they get here is mind blowing. Humpbacks spend their summers in the cold waters of the Antarctic where their food source of krill is abundant. Unfortunately, the cold waters that sustain them are not suitable for mating or giving birth.
For these essential activities they need to swim to warmer destinations – one being the tropical north-east coast of Australia. In the classic catch 22, the warm waters are free of the krill soup they require. So, even though it might be tempting to stay, they eventually get hungry and need to head south again. If you think motherhood as a human is challenging, consider the life of a humpback cow… between one meal and the next she swims 5000km, gives birth, feeds her calf up to 600 litres of yoghurt-like milk every day and swims another 5000km.
There’s no wonder she needs a mini-vacation in Hervey Bay to rest her weary fins and gather strength to continue south. The good news is, her need to rest offers us humans the chance to interact with her and her calf, and thousands of people travel from around the globe to do just that. Aren’t you lucky this experience is only a weekend away? So when was the last time you took the kids whale watching? Should this be your year?
Only three hours drive from the central Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay is bitten by whale watch fever at this time of year and there are a number of different cruise choices. From huge multi-decked vessels with glass viewing chambers to small, intimate, zippy boats, there is something to suit any family.
Four years ago, we joined a large vessel with lots of room to move. The advantages of this were room for kids to run around, space out of the wind and video commentary on the way out and back. Disadvantages were the long travel times (because the boats travel quite slowly) and the need to be on the water for a whole day. This time we decided to try something different. That’s Awesome is a rigid inflatable (rather like a huge rubber duckie) with seating for up to 35. Powered by four 300hp engines, this boat promised an exhilarating ride and less travel time. It didn’t disappoint in either respect.
Excited tension was palpable as we joined fellow families onboard. We had bought an entire backpack of warm clothes for the windblown ride, and it turned out we hadn’t overestimated. Before long we were flying across the waves with huge grins on our faces and donning our beanies and jackets quickly. About an hour later the engines powered back and we were at once alert and scanning the calm water for telltale blows or shiny backs. Nothing happened.
Then, when we thought luck had escaped us, the captain yelled, “Two o’clock!”
He wasn’t referring to the time, but the direction. If you think of the boat as facing 12 o’clock, this type of reference helps determine where the whales are. We had two juvenile whales, and a few accompanying dolphins, on our starboard bow about 300m away. As we slowly powered towards them the humpbacks both blew in unison and the boat rocked as all 35 passengers headed for one side of the boat.
We spent about an hour with these amazing creatures and they put on a good show. At times all we could see was their shadow and an indication of white flesh as they passed close to our vessel. As if wanting attention, they threw in a few tail slaps and, even though I madly clicked my shutter, I missed every one.
Time passed quickly and before too long it was time to turn tail and speed for the harbour. Wooly clothes back on, and with the kids laughing over the squeal of the engines, it was a magical ride home. We had been and we had seen. For what more could we have asked? I left feeling VERY glad I was a human mum, not a whale one!
Did you know?
- A humpback’s lungs are the size of a small car
- Toothed whales have one blowhole and baleen whales have two
- Baleen plates filter food like a sieve and they are made of the same material as finger nails
- Each whale has unique markings under its tail like a fingerprint
- When a whale dives it leaves a calm patch on the water’s surface called a ‘footprint’
- When a whale sticks its head out of the water it’s called a ‘spy hop’
- When it jumps out of the water it’s called a ‘breach’
- Whale milk is as thick as yoghurt
- Humpbacks are the only whales that ‘sing’
- An adult whale can stay underwater for up to 40 minutes
- White whale Migaloo has been sighted in Australia this year
- Whales in the Northern Hemisphere never meet those in the Southern Hemisphere
Getting out there
(Excerpt from Kids Welcome to Queensland. Visit: www.kidswelcome.com.au)
Blue Dolphin Marine Tours
Phone: 4124 9600
Web: www.bluedolphintours.com.au
The area’s longest running sailing tour, this wide and stable catamaran is run by Peter Lynch who has been working with marine life for a quarter of a century (at Seaworld, in the Antarctic and here). Tour includes lunch and snacks and includes the added element of sail. Groups are smaller than other options, but there’s less opportunity for kids to run amuck. At other times of year, Blue Dolphin runs dolphin or sunset cruises.
Spirit of Hervey Bay
Phone: 1800 642 544
Web: www.spiritofherveybay.com
This vessel was newly commissioned in 2008 and represents the most modern features in the industry including eight viewing windows in the hull that allows you to view the whales under the water as well as above. It’s a large vessel with room to run around and tours run for half a day which might be easier for little ones than a whole day cruise. Nibbles and drinks are provided but lunch is not.
Hervey Bay Whale Watch
Phone: 4128 9387
Web: www. awesomeadventure.com.au
Brian and Jill Perry were the originators of whale watching in Hervey Bay way back in the mid ‘80s and now their daughter Sarah is one of the captains. They run a large vessel called Quick Cat and recently added a rigid inflatable to their fleet. That’s Awesome is fast and runs three different three-hour cruises each day at dawn, day and dusk. Smaller than most of the whales, the vessel puts these giants in perspective. It does include a toilet, but no air conditioned cabin and very little room to run around. The ride is exhilarating and there are only 35 passengers.
Steve’s Whale One
Phone: 1300 CRIKEY
Web: www.australiazoo.com.au
Join the only commercial whale watching vessel on the Sunshine Coast – Steve’s Whale One. Cruise times vary but last 3.5-4.5 hours. Run by Australia Zoo, this stable catamaran guarantees you an authentic Australia Zoo experience. Educational commentary is provided and an underwater hydrophone enables you to listen to the whales. Onboard toilet facilities, included breakfast or lunch and a full bar make it easy, even with kids.
